Research into Words in Mind

A bibliotherapy project delivering sessions to help improve outcomes for people experiencing mental health issues or living with dementia 

Project highlights

• Words in Mind was a three-year Big Lottery funded bibliotherapy project, operating in Kirklees and managed by Third Sector Leaders Kirklees. 

• The evaluation drew on stakeholder interviews, researcher observations and peer researcher reflections by volunteers/sessional staff responsible for leading the sessions.

• Words in Mind is best defined by its ethos, rather than a prescriptive list of its activities. As an approach to bibliotherapy, it is person-centred; often co-produced with group participants; is about making a contribution (in a variety of ways); emphasises social connection; and avoids value judgements of texts and responses to them.

• There is not one model of a Words in Mind group; groups take diverse approaches tailored to the needs of group members.

• Resources used as part of Words in Mind groups vary and group facilitators are responsive to interests of the group members. This approach is a particular strength of Words in Mind.

• Immediate benefits include: opportunities to interact, increased confidence, engagement with literature, reminiscence, engagement with new interests, relaxation, a sense of pride or achievement and opportunity for reflection and self-expression.

•  Longer-term benefits include: increased confidence, as well as increased social interaction and reduced isolation, and recognising the contribution of group members. 

• While the great diversity in approach taken by Words in Mind group facilitators is a strength of the approach, this diversity and flexibility can presents challenge in promoting Words in Mind to external organisations.

• The volunteering model is well-organised, well-supported and enable volunteers to participate flexibly. The support, coordination and resourcing of the project is one of its strengths.

• Volunteers report different experiences, and acknowledge different facilitation skills are required, in groups for people with dementia or groups for people with mental health difficulties.

Read more about Words in Mind

'Bibliotherapy in the UK: historical development and future directions' , Informatio, 2021, with Liz Brewster

'Bibliotherapy in practice: a person-centred approach to using books for mental health and dementia in the community', Medical Humanities, 2020, with Liz Brewster 

More examples of  Bibliotherapy research

More examples of Dementia-related research